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Quote by Joseph Brodsky

“When the eye fails to find beauty-alias solace-it commands the body to create it, or, failing that, adjusts itself to perceive virtue in ugliness.”

Quote by Joseph Brodsky

Author

Joseph Brodsky
Joseph Brodsky

Joseph Brodsky (May 24, 1940 - January 28, 1996) was a prominent poet of the 20th century, known for his profound thoughts and unique poetic style. His works cover a wide range of themes, including personal experiences, historical events, and philosophical reflections. Brodsky's poetry is characterized by its beautiful language and philosophical depth, and has had a profound impact on literature worldwide. more

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“If a poet has any obligation toward society, it is to write well. Being in the minority, he has no other choice. Failing this duty, he sinks into oblivion. Society, on the other hand, has no obligation toward the poet. A majority by definition, society thinks of itself as having other options than reading verses, no matter how well written. Its failure to do so results in its sinking to that level of locution at which society falls easy prey to a demagogue or a tyrant. This is society's own equivalent of oblivion.”

“We writers, as we work our way deeper into our craft, learn to drop more and more personal clues. Like burglars who secretly wish to be caught, we leave our fingerprints on broken locks, our voiceprints in bugged rooms, our footprints in the wet concrete.”